Watson Finalist for OHL Coach of the Year
Published on April 15, 2009 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
(Saginaw, MI) Saginaw Spirit head coach Todd Watson was named a finalist for the Matt Leyden Trophy, awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League Coach of the Year. The league announced Wednesday morning Bob Boughner of the Windsor Spitfires as the 2008-2009 recipient of the award, marking his second consecutive season receiving the honor.
"We are proud of the accomplishments of Todd Watson. He is an outstanding hockey coach with accomplishments that extend well beyond this OHL Coach of the Year Nomination," stated Spirit President and Partner Craig Goslin, "He certainly deserves the honor as our 08-09 Spirit team was picked by the experts to finish 18th in the league. Todd led our team to a third place conference finish and home ice in the first round of the playoffs. He gets the most out of the players and they like playing for him."
Other finalists included George Burnett of the Belleville Bulls, Stan Butler of the Brampton Battalion, Brian Kilrea of the Ottawa 67's, Dave MacQueen of the Sarnia Sting and Michael Vellucci of the Plymouth Whalers.
The Matt Leyden Trophy is voted on by the member teams of the Ontario Hockey League. In a first round of balloting, teams vote for the top coaches, within their own conference. The top three nominees from both the Eastern and Western conferences are declared as finalists.
The Matt Leyden Trophy has been awarded annually since 1972 to the Coach of the Year in the Ontario Hockey League. The award is in recognition of the contributions of Matt Leyden, past President of the Ontario Hockey Association from 1965-1967. The Oshawa native was honored as a lifetime member of the OHA in 1972. Last season, Bob Boughner from the Windsor Spitfires won the award.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from April 15, 2009
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- Guelph Storm Alumni Golf Tournament Approaches - Guelph Storm
- Whalers Matt Hackett Rated Top North American Goaltending Prospect by Central Scouting - Plymouth Whalers
- Tickets still available for tonight's game - Windsor Spitfires
- Cubby to Appear in Crime Stoppers of Grey Bruce Bail-A-Thon - Owen Sound Attack
- Bob Boughner named OHL Coach of the Year - OHL
- Watson Finalist for OHL Coach of the Year - Saginaw Spirit
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